What is The Difference Between VoIP and IP Telephony?
Although many people use the two terms “VoIP” (Voice over Internet Protocol) and IP telephony interchangeably, the two are distinct. In fact IP telephony depends on VoIP for its functionalities. Semantics aside, VoIP is the enabling technology that has enabled and positioned IP telephony to replace the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) with a wholly computer-based solution. VoIP technology enables the transmission of voice over a data network. VoIP includes the conversion of electronic analog voice signals into a digital format, transmission of the digital data over a network and converting the digital voice data back into an electronic analog voice format. Thus a VoIP solution effectively performs the function of a traditional analog telephone system. A regular telephone or “endpoint” can be used to input the caller’s voice into a VoIP system for this purpose. A series of analog-to-digital conversion and other computer-based processes change the voice signals into data, which i
